Diagnosis of Pulmonary Diseases by High Resolution C.T. and Conventional X ray

Abstract

The role of both conventional Computerized Tomography (CT) and High Resolution Computerized Tomography (HRCT) cannot be obviated and universally accepted modalities in the precise diagnosis and management of pulmonary disease. This work addresses and presents results of a comparative differential report studies of plain (PA) and (Lateral) chest x-ray films versus findings on HRCT images stored in a computer system for 17 (seventeen) anonymous patient’s chest cases randomly selected. Most of the patients were pathologically proven for positive chest ailments, while some were proven through follow-up and clinical lab investigations.

Data for these patients, presented as x-ray images reports, were collected from the computer network at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh, K.S.A. and analyzed/compared with the help of a board of three recognized radiologists and referring chest physicians after thorough discussion.

Data analyses results of the study were finally tabulated for comparative positive and negative findings with reference to the particular patient’s signs and symptoms and the provisional clinical pathological diagnosis. Results showed that in a total of 17 study cases, more than 12 negative findings (No Abnormality Detected, N.A.D) were obtained form the plain PA and lateral x-ray chest making a (70%) of all the cases under study and as contrasted to almost a (100%) positive findings of chest pathologies as obtained by the HRCT unit, for the same group of patients using the same board of 3-man radiologists. Tabulated results quoted from patients’ reports of interpretation had also shown a more elaborate (detailed) description and reporting of more positive results and few N.A.Ds for chest disease findings using the HRCT unit in contrast to many negative results obtained using the plain conventional PA/lateral chest imaging units. HRCT showed particular success in ruling-out certain pathologies to a greater extent.

Despite the huge financial cost of HRCT systems, their benefits in detecting these certain chest pathologies usually missed in conventional units, for outweigh any financial burdens. It must be the method of choice for imaging diffuse lung disease and focal lung lesions and obtain accurate measurements for a solitary pulmonary nodule or mass.

In contrast to plain radiographs, HRCT has greater and specify, and allows a more accurate diagnosis to be obtain.

It is of greater benefit to patient with a suspected chronic infiltrative lung disease.